Hello! I want to make little geode hearts for Valentine's Day and I've been having trouble with what the internet keeps telling me is an easy thing:

I've made little heart bowls out of sculpey to grow the crystals in. I bought a pound of alum power (which came in granules, so I don't know if that's part of the issue). For my shapes, I put glue on the inside and covered it with the alum. I didn't want to wait an hour, so I blow dried until it was dry. I mixed 2 cups of water with 3/4 cup of alum powder. I poured it into a bowl and dropped the bowl in. Instantly, the alum started separating from the shape settled at the bottom. Eventually it dissolved completely. The only thing I've been able to achieve is a mild spattering of bumps on the sculpey.
What am I doing wrong? Am I not putting enough alum into the mixture? (One try, I put the almost the same amount of alum with water and wound up with a briny slush) Should I wait for the mixture to cool down so it doesn't dissolve all the alum on my base? Should I be using a different glue? Should I be suspending the shapes? I've seen crystals grown on plastic eggs and jar lids, so I don't think sculpey is too unreasonable to grow on. Is there an alternative mineral I should be using that's easier?

Thats your problem. Use hot water and add alum while stirring until no more dissolves. Then leave it to cool and evaporate to dry naturally. Then you might get tiny crystals but nice big geode style? Nope, you dont want to wait. All crystals take time to grow, you should have paid attention in school.

That's your problem. Use hot water and add alum while stirring until no more dissolves. Then leave it to cool and evaporate to dry naturally. Then you might get tiny crystals but nice big geode style? Nope, you don't want to wait. All crystals take time to grow, you should have paid attention in school.

So I need to make sure the glue dries naturally first? I've been heating 2 cups of water and added 2/3 cups of alum. Do I need to let the water cool before putting the shapes in? I don't want big, fancy geodes. I am aware of how long crystals take. I just want little egg geodes that kids can apparently do but not me. >____>

I had a terrible high school that somehow managed to never put me into a chemistry class. \o/ If I could afford it, I would love to take a college chemistry class. I would actually love to take a lot of science classes for fun, because as fascinating as science is, and all the information on the internet, the best way I learn is in person.

I am really inspired with your efforts that you have been already made while creating this as I am completely not aware with this art but it’s really seems awesome & developing interest to me. I always use to get gift for my fiancé. Never created anything for him but this time I think I should also create something like this to gift him.

Sandrajohn,

Since this is a non-commercial forum, I have deleted that portion of your post which was commercial in nature. Thanks for your understanding.
Michael
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